Synopsis
From noted cartoonist Rick Parker comes his long-awaited graphic novel memoir about his time in the United States Army, when he was drafted to serve during the Vietnam WarDrafted is a graphic novel memoir by Rick Parker, an inexperienced, introverted, and overly protected teenager growing up in Savannah, Georgia, in the 1950s. After flunking out of college his freshman year, he gets drafted into the United States Army and soon discovers how unheroic he actually is when faced with a life-or-death situation. Parker was lucky, and was stationed in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, unlike the 58,220 soldiers who served overseas in Vietnam and never returned, but the horrors of war still permeated his tour of duty. Coming to the realization that he is not cut out for a military career, Parker pursues his dream of becoming an artist. In telling this story, he writes about how the Vietnam War was the last war in the United States that used the draft; how the draft affects those who serve; and how we as Americans think of war. As an established comics creator, Parker also covers how being an artist helped him survive his time in the US Army. A compelling and unique graphic novel memoir, perfect for fans of Joe Sacco, Derf Backderf, Thi Bui, and Brian Fies, Drafted is sure to garner interest from Parker’s dedicated followers and new fans alike―already proven by the response to the award-winning short film Rick Parker, I’m Afraid.